Walking In Truth - Daily Biblical study of the Word from a Truth perspective.

A Proper Ground Of Appeal To God

" 'Thou art the God of my righteousness; not only a righteous God Thyself, but the author of my righteous dispositions, Who hast by Thy grace wrought that good that is in me, hast made me a righteous man; therefore hear men, and so attest Thy own work in me; Thou art also the patron of my righteous cause, the protector of my wronged innocency, to whom I commit my way, and whom I trust to bring forth my righteousness as the light.' When men condemn us unjustly, this is our comfort, It is God that justifies; He is the God of a believer's righteousness." - Matthew Henry

Our God is a God of righteousness.

In Psalm 11:7, David described Him as "the righteous Lord" Who "loveth righteousness" and Whose "countenance doth behold the upright."

The Prophet Jeremiah identified Him as such - "...and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS"(Jeremiah 23:6).

In their descriptions of the Lord our God, what were these two servants trying to convey?

For one thing, the Lord Jehovah is "righteous." Through His covenant of grace, He justifies the ungodly and does that which is right and good to the just.

Because He is "righteous," He especially favors those who resemble or are like unto Him - the "righteous." He looks upon them with great care and affection and feels a certain obligation to defend, protect, and render aid to them whenever they are in need.

Whenever they are injured or ill-treated by the wicked, He steps in as Mediator to plead their cause for He delights in "executing righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed"(Psalm 103:6).

These believers recognize that their acceptance or favor in God's sight can only be attributed to one thing and one thing alone - the finished work of Calvary. Because of what Jesus had done in satisfying the Justice of God - the innocent suffering for the guilty - now they are treated as "righteous" by God.

There is one thing that the devil cannot stand more than anything - and that is when the believer's focus is solely on the Lord Jesus and His finished work at Calvary rather than on his own vain attempts at salvation.

God is indeed the one and only author of the saint's "righteousness." There is such power behind this affirmation. All of Hell trembles to think of the Church laying claim to such a Truth.

In Psalm 24:3-5, we read of the ones who "shall stand in His holy place" as being those who have "clean hands, and a pure heart." They "receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." In other words, they taste of the fruits and gifts of His mercy and favor. They are the ones who obtain His divine approval on their lives - they are treated as His friends.

In Psalm 41:12, we see David giving God all of the glory for the victories in his life - "And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face forever." He attributes His innocency and consistency to the fact that the Almighty - through His Great Power - enabled him to rise above the reach of his enemies. He walked in integrity and uprightness - only because the Lord kept him under His constant watch and care and allowed him entrance into His presence where he dwelled.

In Psalm 3:8, David boldly declared - "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people."

Interestingly enough, the Prophet Isaiah said it this way - "Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength..."(Isaiah 45:24).

Oh! What a glorious thought!

"In the LORD have I righteousness and strength..."

"In the LORD..."

Oh! Saint of God! We cannot emphasize it enough!

The devil hates for us to think upon such a thought or to make such a bold confession of Faith.

But let us shout it from the housetops so that all will hear us - in heaven and in earth - "In the LORD have I righteousness and strength..."

Pardon from sin and justification(right standing) before a Just and Holy God cannot be found in another. The strength to meet every enemy, overcome sin, encounter temptation, or discharge our duties cannot be obtained by human might - only by Yahweh alone.

Salvation and power belong to the Lord.

The songwriter penned it so aptly, in saying - "He is all my righteousness, I stand complete in Him, and I worship Him...Worship Him, Jesus Christ, my Lord."

The Apostle Paul had a message to the Corinthian Church - concerning this same issue -

In 1 Corinthians 1:30, he declared - "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us...righteousness..."

Again, in 2 Corinthians 5:21, he stressed - "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

By His agency and power, we are enabled to stand before God in the court of Divine Justice and plead our cause.

So what is the proper ground of appeal to God as believers - especially when under attack of our enemies?

David alluded to it in Psalm 4:1 when he prayed - "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness..."

Why did he appeal to God as the "God of my righteousness"?

Why did he not direct his prayer - calling on God - using a different title as the "God of Mercy" or the "God of all grace"?

When we can approach the Throne of God - calling on the "God of our righteousness," we are expressing a conviction that He will always do that which is right...He will interpose to counteract all slander and harsh judgment brought against us...He will cause justice to be done.

As the "God of our righteousness," He can even cause our enemies to do that which is right...lead those in the Judicial System to do what ought to be done...vindicate our name...and save us from all wrong.

Do you have a pressing need today?

Are you being wrongfully accused?

Is the enemy oppressing you with false charges?

Then appeal to the "God of your righteousness."

Fight the enemy - Satan - the accuser of the brethren - with your total focus on the Lord Jesus as the "God of your righteousness."

Realize that Jesus is the One Who is upholding you and will see you through unto victory. It is from Him that you will "receive the blessing" and Divine approval. It is He Who "sets you before His face" and hides you in the shelter of His presence. In Him alone is found your salvation and power. He is the author of your acceptance and favor in the sight of God. He is the reason why you can approach the Throne in the first place.

Just the very fact that you can say these words - "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness" assures you of victory. Your enemies cannot say that!

Be encouraged! No matter how bad things look or seemingly appear - in the end - you will win the battle.

"The God of your righteousness" - the God Who can only do that which is right and cause Justice to be done - will plead your cause.

Appeal to Him as such and watch Him do marvels on your behalf!

May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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